With 2015 now in our rear-view mirrors, it’s time to focus on the road ahead in 2016. This year is sure to present more challenges, such as ever-changing healthcare reform legislation, but also a lot of exciting opportunities—and ways to shift your thinking. As you buckle up for the ride and prepare to hit the wide-open road, here are a few tips to help you navigate your scheduled route, avoid oncoming speed bumps, and accelerate your HCM in 2016.

Sit in the driver’s seat to tune-up recruiting and talent management practices, keep your eyes on the ACA, and think globally about HCM in 2016.

Put Yourself in the Driver’s Seat This year, don’t just work on being a better manager—focus on becoming a leader. Your team members have developed their goals and have mapped out where they hope to arrive by year’s end. You can help ensure they reach that destination. We’re excited about the release of UltiPro’s “My Leadership Actions” tool. Using the power of predictive analytics and an assortment of data points, UltiPro empowers you with suggested directions and actions for proactively engaging your direct reports. Think of it as your GPS on the road to leadership. Best of all, My Leadership Actions doesn’t just benefit managers. According to BI Worldwide, engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave an organization than non-engaged employees. In a true win-win for everyone, you develop your management skills, hone your ability to lead, and grow your own career, all while helping your employees grow theirs. Tune-Up Your Recruiting Practices Aren’t road trips always more fun with a great group of passengers? Before you ride too far down the HR highway, however, make time for a pit stop to reevaluate your recruiting processes. Are you attracting—and, perhaps more importantly, retaining—the right talent for your organization? Think about what you can do differently or improve upon to bring the ideal fit onboard, a person who not only has the necessary skills for the position, but who also gels with your established workplace culture. Don’t forget that, in 2015, millennials officially became the largest generation in the workforce. While some may think Gen Y brings too much baggage, millennials can certainly provide us with crucial insight into the evolving expectations of all employees—especially with regard to recruiting practices. Keep Your Eyes on the ACA With so many people and processes requiring our attention, it’s easy to get distracted and veer off in different directions. But as HR professionals, it’s especially important we keep our eyes on compliance. As in previous years, in 2016, we have to pay particular attention to the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—or else we can end up paying costly citations. The ACA has many moving parts. Proposed legislative changes continue to rotate around Congress, and there are likely to be more twists and turns ahead. But, don’t worry. Ultimate can help steer you clear of the stress and the confusion. Start by checking out our extensive ACA Resource Center, featuring helpful ACA guides, whitepapers, answers to FAQs, and much more. You can also take an online test drive of UltiPro’s ACA Toolkit. See firsthand how Ultimate’s helping organizations across the United States navigate the ACA, from a dashboard for monitoring compliance requirements to functionality for rapid and accurate reporting. As a certified and IRS-approved transmitter, Ultimate can also assist with generating and filing all required 1094-C and 1095-C forms for the ACA. Think Globally About HCM Even if you’ve already charted your course and calculated your budget for the trip, always keep your map open and don’t be afraid to go beyond borders. Maybe your organization doesn’t currently operate on a global scale. The exciting news is it’s becoming easier than ever to expand into new markets. As you continue on your HR travels this year, consider the realistic possibilities—and advantages—of exploring new territory. You have the potential to reach new people, build your network, remain connected no matter where you’re headquartered, and, ultimately, drive more business for your organization. The best part? You don’t have to traverse these locations alone. Implement the global HCM strategy that works for your organization, and your employees can continue to collaborate and innovate together, from wherever they work. We’ll cover each of these topics at greater length with additional blog posts throughout the year. For now, be sure to register for Ultimate’s free live webcast, “Break the Mold: What HR Should Be Doing Differently in 2016,” on Wednesday, January 27, at 2:00 P.M. EST. I’m pleased to join Claire Schooley, principal analyst on the Applications Development & Delivery team at Forrester Research, for an insightful discussion on transforming your overall approach to HCM. Our goal is to help you #RethinkHR—in 2016, and in the years ahead. Suggested Article:

About Cecile Alper-Leroux

Cecile Alper-Leroux is Ultimate Software’s Vice President of HCM Innovation. With more than 20 years’ experience in both national and global markets, Cecile is an internationally sought-out speaker, thought leader, and visionary on human capital management trends, hot topics, and global strategies

Comments

I liked that you talked about how it would be a good idea to make sure that you keep an eye on the affordable care act. I would have never thought about doing that myself. It seems like a good idea to have a professional help you out with that.

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